Mamaw and Papaw On My Mind

Mamaw and Papaw have been on our minds lately. This morning Parker and I had just finished saying a prayer for them when he walked over to the foyer table and got their picture. I about killed myself running to get the camera. We love you Mamaw and Papaw!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Halloween!

Parker went "trick-or-treating" a day early this year. Just this week I became "Wife of the Year" when I scored tickets to the Georgia/Florida football game. Joshua will get to fulfill his goal of seeing Tim Tebow play in person before he graduates. Being a "house divided" when it comes to football...tickets to this game were a good compromise. So we are headed south today! Mamaw is coming to keep Parker and tend to our trick-or-treaters. I couldn't leave town without seeing my "chunky monkey" all dressed up! So, we went to see Grandmamma and Grandaddy at Grandaddy's office. We also went to see our good friends the Stansberrys....more on that visit later.

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Peanuts, Eggs, and Rat-Tails, Oh My!

We found out that Parker is severely allergic to both eggs and peanuts. We fed him a scrambled egg one night for dinner and he broke out in hives and threw up violently. That was our first clue. One trip to the allergist and some awful tests later, it was confirmed....eggs and peanuts. So, now we carry an Epi Pen at all times and read labels with scrutiny. Apparently there is a "severity scale" for food allergies. Parker's egg allergy is considered mild, which means he will more than likely outgrow it. The peanut allergy, however, is considered severe. It is about a 50/50 chance that he will outgrow that one. I'm amazed at how many things have peanuts or are "processed in a plant that also processes peanuts." Sigh.

In other news, Parker has a "rat-tail." Joshua is lobbying to have the official "first haircut," and I'm resisting. The rat-tail is most noticeable when wet. Once his hair dries, it kinda curls up and doesn't appear so "rat-tailish." I just can't justify cutting it yet.

We spent a few days at Mamaw and Papaw's in Rabun this past week. We are on Fall Break. Parker enjoyed being King of the Castle and I enjoyed being lazy!!

Papaw pushed him around his his "car" for hours.Mamaw provided snacks at the drive through.Aunt Meredith and Parker chillin' in the box.Staring contest with Uncle Kolby.Snuggle and Snack Time with Papaw.

Classic

I'm thinking Christmas Card....

Bringing Up Boys

Parker is becoming quite challenging. He is really testing his boundaries lately and it is about to put Joshua and I over the edge! The child had a red spot on his leg the other night from us popping him repeatedly for climbing on the hearth and then trying to propel himself onto the recliner. He would do it, we would pop him, he would cry, then he would walk right back over and do it again! It was a battle of wills....and he's only 13 months old. He loves to climb and bang and be loud and throw things. I guess you could say he is "all boy." Gone are the glorious days of putting him in the jumperoo and letting him entertain himself for an hour or so. We are constantly running to rescue him from some peril danger...like watching him push his riding toy to the table, stand on it, climb in the chair, and climb halfway onto the table in 2.6 seconds flat...or cleaning up some mess that he created....like when he pulled the floor lamp down and glass shattered from here to Alabama....or when he pushed the garbage can over....
And just when I think I'm about to go nuts.....he pulls out the charm. The video below is proof. He was laughing hysterically at me popping and un-popping some bath toys. And there you have it...all is forgiven.

Musical Entertainment

Parker decided to provide me with some musical entertainment while I cooked dinner last night. It was such a LOUD beautiful serenade. This is just 43 seconds of what lasted for about 45 minutes!!!

A Boy and His Balloon

Parker has a new found LOVE for balloons...of the helium kind. It started with Aunt Beth bringing him a balloon as a "special prize" one afternoon. At first, he was scared of it. But once he got acquainted, it quickly became love at first sight. Parker and his balloon are now inseparable. He doesn't put it down. I literally have to pry it out of his hand for him to eat. It has become quite a handy "tracking device" throughout the house. Need Parker? Just look for the balloon. We have had many different balloons since that first "prize" about two months ago. (yes, it's been going on that long) Parker shows no attachment to the "flavor" of the balloon, just the fact that it floats. Although... it is a sad, sad morning when we discover a "fallen" friend. Currently, we are toting around a "Bob the Builder" balloon from Great-Grandma. Obviously, the way to Parker's heart is helium.